For many years teams consisted of four players who answered individual questions. In 2003 we changed our format, which has created a more relaxed atmosphere and attracted new players. All questions are now team questions and teams are allowed to have up to six players; this means players very rarely having to sit out and newcomers can often come to give the quiz a try without displacing a regular player.Games start at 8pm on Wednesday evenings and have six rounds of four questions per team, though we are always reviewing the format and are open to suggestions. The games usually take just over an hour and teams can then enjoy some sandwiches and a few drinks with each other afterwards. One of the joys of the league is that as the matches are played face to face it is not possible for players to employ the services of Google or any other search engines -- the scourge of the modern pub quiz. We run two competitions: the league, which is played on a home-and-away basis over the winter; and the knock-out, which is played on a League basis, through the summer months, with a semi-final and final in October. Over the years we have played challenge matches against other leagues and would consider any offers. Since 2011 teams from the league have played against quiz teams from Edinburgh for the annual Brunton Shield. For 20 years we played an annual match against the unbeaten York CIU Quiz League, with Sunderland winning 11 games to 9. We welcome teams or individuals who would like to join the league. For further information contact League Secretary Daniel Fullard

The Sunderland Quiz League is the North East’s premier general knowledge quiz league.The league was founded in the 1960s and currently comprises seven teams who play at pubs and clubs around the city on a Wednesday evening: Ashbrooke Sports Club, The Navy Club, Chaplin’s, Newbottle Working Men’s Club, Penshaw Catholic Club, Ship Isis and The Prior.